# R2 Touch > Remote control for R2-D2 replicas with MarcDuino receiver boards. (iPhone/iPad app by Neil Hutchison.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/r2-touch/id631960765 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Neil Hutchison](https://appshunter.io/developer/1521173905) - Category: Utilities, Entertainment - Price: $5.99 - Rating: 4.80/5 from 9 App Store ratings · 10 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 8.0 · 4 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2013-04-16 - Data updated: 2026-08-07 - Monetization: paid - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/r2-touch/id631960765/reviews.md ## What is R2 Touch? This is a remote control app for members of the R2 Builders Club. Apart from looking pretty, and playing sounds (if you upload them to the application), it doesn't do anything unless you are building an R2-D2 replica robot and have MarcDuino receiver boards (as described in www.marcduino.com and on my build log on Astromech.net). If you do, lucky you, it will allow you to control the dome panels, holoprojectors, sounds and dome lighting of your Droid in all sorts of interesting ways. You can see a demo of how it works with my R2 here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUod3LRQ1DI The app can run all the way down to iOS 8 on an iPhone 4S. The app doesn't include any sounds by default. If you want sounds to play directly from the app or through Bluetooth, you must upload your own sounds files to the App using iTunes. The sound files are typically the exact same you'd use in your remote sound system of the robot such as my MP3Trigger setup (described on www.marcduino.com). Commands, in the form of programmable short ASCII strings, are sent via the internal WiFi iPhone radio to a remote WiFly receiver. Alternately, the app also generates a 9600 baud serial output stream on the earphone audio port. This way you can send serial command to an external XBee transmitter radio for a more reliable link. You'll need a small level adapter board to use the audio serial capability, also on www.curiousmarc.com. Since you can customize most buttons and commands, you could also use this as a generic remote control app to send any short serial string via WiFi (to a WiFly radio fore example) or serial link (through an XBee). And with a spiffy R2-D2 inspired interface to boot! ## Key features - Control dome panels, holoprojectors, sounds, and lighting - Upload custom sound files - Programmable ASCII string commands - WiFi and serial output options - Customizable buttons - R2-D2 inspired interface ## Recent user reviews (10 of 10) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/r2-touch/id631960765/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Works Great! *2025-07-05* Downloaded MP3 files and thought I had a problem. Turns out the app plays just fine through a Bluetooth speaker. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t hear it in your phones speaker. Thanks for the app. Now to finish my build. ### 3/5 — V3 additions *2023-07-01, version 2.4* Great App so far although could do with updating to go with the now released V3 firmware and adjusting screen size so the app fits the larger iPhone screens. ### 4/5 — Can’t get sounds on iPhone 11 to work *2020-09-26* So I followed the directions for adding the sound files to the IPhone But when I open the app and select a sound file nothing plays. ### 1/5 — Doesn’t seem to be working on iPhone X *2019-12-24, version 1.3* Hopefully gets updated soon ### 5/5 — A MUST HAVE for your droid! *2013-11-30* It's just freakin awesome! Great with my old ipod touch, ### 5/5 — Wahoo it out *2013-04-17* I have been watching and waiting for this since I first saw it can't wait to implement this system ### 5/5 — Beautiful Job! *2013-04-16* This is a pretty specific application, and could easily have had a very simple, functional interface. However, Marc (the app developer) has created a really beautiful, interactive application here for control of an astromech (with the appropriate receiver, of course!) Sound effects and many other "special effects" like opening doors or the dome pie panels can be accomplished simply and very privately (so as not to "give away the game.") It can also be modified for custom messages and there is certainly more to come! Fantastic job on this, thank you Marc Verdeill! ### 5/5 — Beep-Boop-Beep! *2013-04-16* Amazing work. I am very happy to purchase this. R2-X2 ### 5/5 — AWSOMENESS in 1 app.! *2013-04-16* Marc, your electronics knowledge never ceases to amaze me. Just downloaded your app. and I'm looking forward to having it control my Astromech. ### 5/5 — Fantastic! *2013-04-16* Absolutely the slickest UI for controlling a droid out there. Extremely innovative and excellent support. ## Frequently asked questions about R2 Touch ### What is R2 Touch? R2 Touch is a remote control application designed specifically for members of the R2 Builders Club who are constructing R2-D2 replica robots. It enables control over various droid functions when used with compatible MarcDuino receiver boards. ### Does R2 Touch work with any R2-D2 replica? No, R2 Touch requires specific MarcDuino receiver boards, as described on www.marcduino.com, to function. It is intended for builders who have integrated these boards into their R2-D2 replicas. ### Can I play sounds with R2 Touch? Yes, you can play sounds with R2 Touch, but you must upload your own sound files to the application via iTunes. These sound files are typically the same ones used in the robot's sound system. ### How does R2 Touch send commands? R2 Touch sends commands via internal WiFi to a WiFly receiver or generates a serial output stream through the earphone audio port for use with external transmitters like XBee. ### What devices does R2 Touch support? R2 Touch is compatible with iPhones and iPods running iOS 8 or later, and can function on devices as old as the iPhone 4S. ### How much does R2 Touch cost? R2 Touch is a paid application, available for $5.99. It does not feature in-app purchases or advertisements. ### When was R2 Touch last updated? The latest version of R2 Touch, version 2.4, was last updated on July 16, 2020. The app was originally released on April 16, 2013. ### Is R2 Touch suitable for young children? R2 Touch has an age rating of 4+, indicating it is generally suitable for young children. However, its functionality is specific to R2-D2 replica building, which may appeal to an older demographic. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 2.4 — 2020-07-16 Minor Bug fixes, and updates. The WiFi default settings are updated to work with the XBee Radio so no need to change these in this updated version. Copyright information and Version numbers are updated. Swipe in "Button Boxes" working in all pages. ### 1.3 — 2015-01-11 New features - Sounds can played on the iPhone itself (which enables bluetooth speakers support by the same token). However, sounds files are not distributed with the App, so nothing will play locally until sounds are uploaded to the app through iTunes. Use the exact same sound files library and name format as the ones in your MarcDuino/MP3Trigger setup (example available at www.curiousmarc.com). Bug fixes: - improved reconnection to the WiFly in case of loss of signal. For this to work you'll need the latest WiFly configuration, see https://sites.google.com/site/curiousmarc/r2-touch-r2-d2-remote-control-iphone-app/setting-up-the-wifly-radio - fixed high battery usage when in the background - fixed customizing editor for some sound keys - improved connection indicator This version requires iOS 5.1.1 and an iPhone 3Gs or better. ### 1.2 — 2013-11-04 Added MP3Trigger sound support (in addition to CF-III). If you are upgrading from a previous version, you WILL need to go to the wrench menu and hit "reset to defaults" button, or your music sounds might not play properly. Warning: if you are updating to this new version and already use the CF-III sound system, make sure to update your CF Sound and MarcDuino firmware to the newest version. More details at www.curiousmarc.com. ### 1.1 — 2013-04-29 Minor bug fix in the settings screen. ### 1.0 — 2013-04-16 No release notes. ## Apps similar to R2 Touch | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Speaker Intercom](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/speaker-intercom/id1611564887) | 4.2 (21) | Free | Utilities | | [WiThrottle](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/withrottle/id344172578) | 4.3 (40) | $9.99 | Utilities | | [rtl_tcp SDR](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rtl-tcp-sdr/id1351164646) | 3.9 (32) | $12.99 | Utilities | | [E3 Controller - US](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/e3-controller-us/id509030474) | 2.9 (9) | Free | Utilities | | [One Remote Play](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/one-remote-play/id1531544886) | — | $4.99 | Utilities | | [Digi XBee Mobile](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/digi-xbee-mobile/id1438731568) | 3.5 (4) | Free | Utilities | ## Related topics [remote control robot](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/remote-control-robot) · [smart r2d2](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/smart-r2d2) · [r2logistics](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/r2logistics) · [bryant controlbox](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/bryant-controlbox) --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-07.*